AmundsenScott

Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, commonly referred to as Amundsen-Scott, is a United States research station located at the geographic South Pole. It is operated by the United States Antarctic Program (USAP) under the National Science Foundation (NSF). Established in 1957 during the International Geophysical Year, the station is named for Roald Amundsen and Robert F. Scott, who led the first expeditions to reach the Pole in 1911. It is the southernmost permanent human settlement on Earth and serves as the primary hub for U.S. scientific activity at the Pole.

The station sits on the Antarctic ice sheet and provides facilities to support year-round research. Its complex includes living quarters, laboratories, a medical facility, communications infrastructure, and an on-site power plant. Modern renovations during the late 20th and early 21st centuries improved energy efficiency, safety, and livability, including an elevated main complex and expanded laboratory space designed to withstand extreme conditions.

Amundsen-Scott supports a broad range of scientific disciplines, including atmospheric science, astronomy, glaciology, biology, and geophysics. It hosts international collaborations and serves as a base for large experiments such as the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, along with other astronomy and climate research activities conducted at the Pole. The station functions as a logistical and communications hub for Antarctic research teams nationwide and worldwide.

Population varies seasonally, with around 50 personnel during the winter and up to about 150 people in peak austral summer. The site plays a central role in long-term climate records, high‑latitude astronomy, and Antarctic science overall.